While our facility is still closed to the public, our staff is hard at work coming up with a plan to re-open that best fits the needs of our Guests and staff. We are taking everything day by day, but are tentatively planning to open on June 15th.

Snake Venom and Bites

Snake Venom and Bites

Throughout the world, it is estimated there are a minimum of 1 to 2 million annual snakebite incidents (this number includes bites by non-venomous species). Of that number, roughly 50,000 to 100,000 bites result in fatalities worldwide. The country with the largest number of annual snakebite deaths is the tiny island nation of Sri Lanka.

In the United States there are approximately 5,000 - 7,000 venomous snakebites every year. However, generally only 5-6 are fatal. In Australia, the country with the highest percentage of deadly snakes, just 3 to 4 people are killed by venomous snakes yearly.

What to do if bitten:

DO

Remain calm - death from most snake bites is not instantaneous.

DO

IMMEDIATELY GO TO THE HOSPITAL! At the hospital, they will administer antivenom, if needed. Antivenom is the only effective treatment available for treating snakebites in the U.S.

What NOT to do if bitten:

Do not attempt the following, they can cause harm and waste your valuable time getting snake bite treatment from a qualified medical professional.

DO NOT

Use a tourniquet. A tourniquet is extremely painful and will cut blood flow to the wounded limb. This may cause the limb to die and require amputation.

DO NOT

Cut X’s over the fang marks and suck out the venom. Snake venom spreads quickly and efficiently through the lymphatic system. It is almost impossible to cut deep enough, quickly enough, or to suck hard enough to pull an adequate amount of venom out to make a difference.

DO NOT

Apply ice to slow the spread of venom.

DO NOT

“Electrocute” the bitten area to neutralize the venom.

These are all instances of improper snake bite treatment, will cause severe pain, permanent tissue damage, and possible amputation.

Visit our Sky Dome and head on up to the mezzanine level, where you’ll see some of the most venomous snakes on Earth. Want to learn more about these fascinating creatures? Be sure to catch one of our Snake Shows where you and your family have an opportunity have an up-close-and-personal experience with Reptile Gardens' snake ambassadors.

Variable Snake Bite Factors

There are innumerable combinations of variables that affect the outcome of a snake envenomation. The size, age, and health of both the snake and the person bitten are important factors. The body temperature, even mood, of a particular snake in addition to the toxicity and quantity of venom delivered by that snake can all make a very big difference in the outcome of the bite.

Snakes have complete control over how much venom they inject anytime they bite. So one could get a “dry” bite, with no venom in it whatsoever. Consequently, a particularly annoyed snake might inject its maximum amount. Interestingly, studies have also shown that the toxicity of the venom in a particular snake can vary a small amount from season to season and even day to day.

The location of the bite is another consideration, along with route of injection, and even sensitivity and/or allergies of the person bitten. Add in the potential for a severe infection, and it is safe to say there are many variables that will affect the outcome of a snake bite.

Some snakes affect the nervous system with a neurotoxic venom; others have an effect on the tissue and blood with a hemotoxic venom. But, there are actually more than these two well-known types of toxins, as well as countless combinations of them. Examples are: myotoxins, cardiotoxins, haemotoxins, and neurotoxins. No snake possesses just one type because each snake tends to have a different combination of toxins. It is this variable combination that makes reactions to bites from different species so unique.

Snake Venom

There are many misconceptions about what snake venom actually is. Snake venom is merely modified saliva, or a combination of many different proteins and enzymes.

The old way of categorizing venom indicated that some snakes have a neurotoxic venom (affecting the nervous system) and others have a haemotoxic venom (affecting tissue and blood). There are actually far more than two types of toxins, and countless combinations of these - myotoxins, cardiotoxins, haemotoxins, and neurotoxins, to name just a few.

No snake venom contains just one type of toxin – most snakes have a combination of toxins, and it's this variable combination that makes reactions to snake bites so different from species to species.

What is, and what do we mean by snake venom toxicity? Toxicity is traditionally determined by how much venom it takes to kill a test animal. It is tested via the "Lethal Dose for 50%” (LD50) method - how much venom it takes to kill 50% of the test animals (usually mice).

When discussing the LD50, we must also consider the route of injection:

Subcutaneous

Under the skin. These bites are the most applicable to actual snakebites.

Intramuscular

Into the muscle. Very large specimens of Gaboon Vipers, Puff Adders, Rhino Vipers, Rattlesnakes, Bushmasters, and South American Lanceheads (also called Fer-de-lances) are about the only snakes capable of delivering this type of bite.

Intravenous

In a vein. These bites are extremely rare and very, very unfortunate, as many of those are rapidly fatal.

Intraperitoneal

Directly into the body cavity. These bites are even rarer for humans.

The dangerous effect of snake venom on humans is well known, but there are also many medicinal uses of snake venom, this specialized saliva has been used in medical situations across the globe:

Excessive bleeding

A blood-clotting protein in Taipan venom has been found to stop excessive bleeding during surgery or after major trauma.

As we work closely with major zoos worldwide to promote species survival, it is our responsibility to also educate the public about important environmental issues and positively contribute to the future of our animal residents.

Reptile Gardens is a great place for class field trips and learning experiences. View some work sheets and answer keys for your group to use while exploring Reptile Gardens. We have several varying difficulty levels to help accommodate every age of children. Have fun learning!